Hello Old Friend - Xubuntu Back in My Life

Many moons ago now I bought a little netbook for the purpose of having something I could use to write my blog and generally surf with while Ang used our main laptop to surf, shop and generally do whatever it is she does. Though it did travel to the states with me, it hasn't otherwise see a whole lot of use but I think it probably will now.

When I bought it, the little Samsung N145 came with Windows 7, a sizable enough hard drive and an impressive battery life. Unfortunately the Atom processor, though frugal, isn't great with Windows 7 and things could take rather longer than I like. It booted very slowly and applied updates slowly. Being disinclined to wait for it to start when my phone (usually) does most of what I want my laptop to do, I started it seldom and when I did, ended up waiting ages for the darn thing to apply updates.

Then I saw Windows 8 with its swipey, tappy, appy mobile style interface and hated the idea. In part I hated it because I'm starting to get old and stuck in my ways so fear change. However, it also seems to me the whole idea is not going to work on a traditional PC or laptop, of which I have many. Fortunately I have Windows 7 (or had) and that is actually really rather good in that it's shinier than XP and isn't Vista.

It did get me thinking about the other options though. There was a time, when I was poorer and had more time to build my own computers from the scraps thrown out by others, when I played with various Linux distros. I always liked one in particular for its simplicity and, um, well, its simplicity really.

Xubuntu is like the most popular distro Ubuntu Linux but with fewer system requirements. It meets my requirements more quickly than plain old Ubuntu and is an awful lot quicker about it than anything with the prefix MS. What's great though is that the current version has improved without appearing any different. I installed it on the N145 expecting to have to mess with wifi drivers, figure out why the sound wouldn't work, find all sorts of workarounds and be eventually frustrated by stuff generally. But no! It really did just work. I've yet to find anything that doesn't work. Even DropBox works. The simple, straight forward XFCE desktop interface is there along with the the simple file system. It's not shiney but it works great.

Clearly, I'm not fully hip, down with the kids or with it. I still can't see why people get addicted to Apple stuff having owned an IPad (though I am hugely concerned by my offspring's obsession with it). However, I know what I need, and right now, I need something that gets me on the net, checks my email, feeds me my twitter and when absolutely necessary lets me do work. Xubuntu appears to do that very well indeed so I'm very happy and so is my netbook.

In which I Watch Many Movies & Go To The Butcher's

Today I've been watching movies. It's the last Thursday of the summer holidays and that means the last day that I get to myself. Now, obviously, I should be going into work on such a day being as I've not really got anything like enough done. However, life's too short for that and I wasn't going to to miss the opportunity. Usually, I head out for a ride but this day I pretty much just watched movies. Mind you, I did pop out to a local butchers to replenish our black pudding supply. 

When I woke up this morning I could already hear that any plans I might have had for roaming the Dales upon my trusty Wee Hamish would only be accomplice whilst doing my impression of a drowned rat. Rain audibly lashed at the windows of my bedroom and on closer inspection, could be seen running as a river down the tarmac that would be the start of any rideout. That wouldn't put me off riding to work or somewhere I had to be but I'm not going to wade the strom all the way to nowhere in particular when there are other equally enticing options. 

Instead, I spent the morning watching movies. I started with 'Battle Los Angeles' which was surprisingly good. Having watched 'Battleship' the previous day I was on the hunt for similar movies, namely SciFis comprising aliens, firefights and general slaughter. Neither film disappointed and I found myself rather enjoying the Gung Ho, Who Rah and God Bless America feel of the movies. It rather makes you feel fictionally proud to be American (by birth). 

Of course, the real Gung Ho, Who Rah and God Bless America theme of real life, in the middle east and throughout the post September 11th world is rather less unarguably admirable. Not that I have an opinion of that because I have no clue where we go forward as a world from where we are now. It would be much easier if could unite against a common extra-terrestrial enemy. Perhaps they missed a trick there. It would have been great if at the end of 'Battle Los Angeles' they showed the rest of the world tackling the aliens together. It would include some Taliban fighters/terrorist (you choose) fighting side by side with US Marines. Hell, they could even invite the French, if that wasn't too far fetched. 

Following that and having run out of recent movies from the genre, I checked IMDB.com for similar and came up with Starship Troopers, a film from my youth and one I had once enjoyed. I recalled the wholesale slaughter of bother aliens and humans as well as some pretty girls. I got it and watched it. Turned out I had remembered correctly (though I've no idea how I'd forgotten about the fact the girls occasionally went topless). The slaughter was indeed wholesale. Aliens died eventually, riddled with bullets with occasional others blown up for expedience. The humans however died much more interestingly. There is it would seem, an incredible variety of ways in which one can be dismembered, impaled or decapitated. 

What I wasn't expecting, doubtless because I hadn't noticed it in the past, was the politics of the movie. Set in a future, federal world, the political system and culture of the world it was set in was different, very different indeed. In it, citizenship had to be earned. Parents had to be licensed. Gender roles were totally removed. I could probably go on but I've probably not appreciated all if the, um, thingys. It wasn't subtly done either. The writer or director or whoever is responsible for the issues raised, they were pretty blatant. I think that was often the case back in the 90s when Hollywood just loved dealing with issues and it could be painful at times. What got me though, was the fact that I'm absolutely certain that I never noticed it before back in 1997.

That was 15 years ago now. It hasn't changed, so I guess I must have. I'm not sure how. It's not like I can now speak authoritatively on such issues as middle east relations, the role of women in the military or how to tackle stagnation in the economy. Nope, it's just that I am just a little more aware of it all. I'm no wiser. A little more experienced perhaps, but certainly no wiser. I'm pretty sure I'll carry on missing the obvious and doubtless make mistakes but in doing so, I'm more able to worry about it all, especially if I should be working. 

I'll also keep wandering. I did today after the second movie. With an afternoon and drying roads, I did get out on my bike. One thing I had noticed was that we were running low on black pudding so I needed to get to the local butchers, in Settle. It was a lovely ride and 80 miles later, with the children home and in bed, I am watching 'Forrest Gump' which doesn't deal with issues. It just tells a story in the words of a simple man, who's outlook is utterly enviable. Anyway, that's more material for another blog, one I probably won't write.

Buttertubs Pass On A YBR125

I haven't yet written about the biggest rideout since U-Ride2012. When I do, it will no doubt include at lease some small mention of my first ride up Buttertubs pass. This gist is that it wasn't what it could have been. I wanted to do it again and got the opportunity earlier than expected thanks to a very lovely wife I happen to have. 

I did it on Angie's YBR125 for a couple of reasons. One big one is that the rear tyre is getting very low on my V-Strom. Another is that I quite like putting along on a littl'un. Finally, after hearing about my brother in law's epic ride from Lincoln to somewhere near Kingston on Thames (190 miles on his YBR125) I felt like putting a big ride in on one myself.

Unlike a lot of my rides, this one started with me knowing exactly where I was going. Having recently returned from a 900 mile jaunt fully loaded and carrying a pillion on the Wee, it was a real joy riding the tiny little bike. It steers so easily in comparison. Actually, you pretty much just think a direction and off it goes. The brakes on the other hand, take a lot of getting used to after the Suzuki. But my chosen route was just 115 miles of superb riding and beautiful Yorkshire countryside, perfect for the little learner machine. 

Part of the beauty of the bike was that it is so easy to handle. You're never having to heave it about, on or off it. On my way up the pass I hopping on and off like it was an old London Bus. There are a great many reasons to stop on the pass; the stunning views over the dales, the butter tubs themselves and even just to contemplate the winding road ahead. When you are riding it, unless you want to rag the nuts off the poor thing, it takes you up and down the pass at a very sedated pace, perfect for just passing gently through, enjoying the cool air and long views. 

There is another road up there that is worth a look in. I took the pass north then rode to Reeth and took another high road back south to Askrigg. It's a much less used single track road. Not as high but very quiet and windy. It's not for the feint of heart but I imagine that probably keeps it quiet. 

The only thing that wasn't much good was the Samsung Galaxy S I decided to trial instead of my usual HTC Wildfire S. On paper the Samsung kicks the backside of the HTC but when it comes to getting a mobile  signal and picking up GPS sats, the HTC win hands down. Good thing I had a map in the box and a very good idea of where I was going really. 

Anyway. It was a good day and I would recommend this route to anyone. 

Buttertubs Pass Rideout (Sorry, you will need to zoom out a bit to see the whole route). 


View Larger Map

Getting Ready to Wander North

I'm so excited. It's almost time for us to go touring on the new bike. I've not blogged for ages because I have a job and children and, well, a new bike. Gone is the YBR250. In it's place is a Suzuki DL650 V-Strom. We wanted something we could tour on and ended with the 'Wee,' now known within the family as 'Wee Hamish' (despite it's comparatively colossal size). 

Soon, it will finally be used in earnest, doing what it was bought for. The plan was to recreate the first days of our honeymoon but on a bike. Then, we stayed in a lovely boutique hotel in Edinburgh before travelling up the A9 to Laggan to see the set of 'Monarch of the Glen.' This time we have less money and more time so we'll give the big city a miss and stick to reasonably priced accommodation. Camping or Glamping were considered but they aren't that much cheaper, require a lot more kit and are less conducive to a great night's kip. The thing about staying in a bed and breakfast see, is that you get a bed and you get breakfast. This negates the need to carry a bed or purchase breakfast. 

So on day one we will spend the night in Peebles. I chose that one, if only for the name. I hear it's also nice and that's enough for Ang. The route up there is planned and highlighted on the map. It avoids big roads and is a full 188 miles. Sure it'll be a long day but boy it looks good. It traces a straight (read 'very curvy') line towards our destination taking in parks and forests but not a single metre of dual carriageway. It's the kind of route that has more farm shop tea rooms than Costa Coffees and that's just the way I like it. I figure we ride from early doors stopping for breakfast, lunch about Hadrian's wall with a brew somewhere in-between. Then afternoon tea and finally, fish and chips or similar in Peebles. We won't be able to use fuel as an excuse to stop because the Wee will do that comfortably on a tank so sampling tea up the spine of the British Isles will be our excuse to stop, take pictures and generally be.

View Driving directions to Peebles in a larger map

Now, that's enough blogging for now. The whole packing thing didn't go as expected and I need to get both of us plus tools and other essentials into a tank bag and a tail pack. It shouldn't be a problem as long as Ang doesn't need too many pairs of shoes. However, I want the bike prepped and writing about it won't get it done. 

Commuting Happy

I'm so bad at blogging. I do it seldom and then write way too much. If however you are still reading after that statement of intent to disappoint, then you should know that I am writing today about bikes. That will probably come as no surprise. I mainly write about motorcycling and just recently there has been lots of bikey things to think about.

New DL650 and last view of the YBR250. 

The most significant event recently was the purchase of the biggest bike I've ever owned marking, I assume, the end of my 250cc era. The new bike is a Suzuki DL650 V-Strom, often referred to as a Wee being the smaller sibling of the DL1000 V-Strom, usually called the Vee. The Wee is already competing strongly for the, 'Best bike I've ever had,' award. Ang Loves it to, which is great. The bike is tall, the seat is uber comfortable, the controls easy. While it has the power to overtake with ease, it's also pretty gentle. Really, it's everything I wanted including all the bits I didn't know I wanted. We've already been up the Dales with it and around the local area. It's superb, even with a passenger, which is pretty much why we got it.

In other news, though perhaps related, Ang rode her bike the other day. I knew she enjoyed riding pillion on the wee but it caught me by surprise when one night, with work looming the next day, she wanted to know if her bike was ready to go. This came just as I was assuming that she probably never would ride solo again having shown no interest whatsoever for months. Then, she did. The following day, Ang rode to work and back. Though this will sound condescending, I was actually proud (and a little concerned when it seemed to take years before she arrived home). The best part was the mood she was in on return. I could tell she had enjoyed it. Then, the lady who, even though she owns one, didn't know the YBR125 is made by Yamaha, was discovered researching the Kawasaki Ninja 250 and bike test. Saying that, Ang is already thinking a Bandit would be more her thing. No accounting for taste I suppose.

Then, today was Ride To Work Day UK. Naturally, I got stuck in. Why not? I was riding to work anyway. I do 11 months of the year. Somehow, today was special though. I left at 5am on the YBR125. There's really no need to use the Wee, except perhaps two extra minutes at work, a more spacious riding position and a whole lot of protection from the elements. The YBR on the other hand has 105mpg, is actually more comfortable than the 250 was (so really not bad), and is light as a feather (which counts as a bonus when you're getting it in and out of a cluttered garage at the top of the slope).

I'd followed @RideToWorkDayUK on twitter and tweeted a couple of times on the subject of #commutehappy even though, for me the day had little to offer on the face of it. I wasn't riding anywhere there would be an event and even if I was, arriving at work at 0530 would probably be little early for most. It still felt good to be doing something, even if it was on my own. Twitter helped me feel part and I kept an eye on, even sent in a picture for the competition. Which brings me to the cool part. My picture won a prize! What it won I have no idea. A Yamaha product I believe. I'm guessing not an R1 but a Super Ten would be nice. Probably not that either to be fair. Still, it was nice to be part of it all and all the while I just had to do what I always do anyway. I rode to work and I rode back and I loved every mile.

I realised that I've never actually posted the video I made of your trip on here before which seems somewhat remiss (first time I've ever used that word before. Hope I got it right). Anyway, here it is. It was filmed with a GoPro Hero2 and edited the whole thing together with Windows Live Movie Maker.

There is a combination of rear facing tank mounted and helmet mounted. The footage shot from the tank was a long shot but I'm glad I did it as it's the only stuff with worthy sound. Also, it's kinda cool, if a little fun of me.

The rest is OK and has some good roads. They weren't the best roads though. We turned out to be great at not using the camera every time we found amazing roads and then getting it out just as they got slightly sub-amazing (but still worth filming). Also, the helmet mount isn't the most dramatic view you can get. Since then, I've experimented with mounting low which makes the view more exciting but too late for this video.

I found out something when I uploaded this to YouTube that was a pleasant surprise. Thanks to the GoPro Hero2 not living up to it's claims of perfect sound with all exhaust note and no wind noise, the dominant sound of howling wind needed to be replaced with something. I went with two tracks from Zac Brown band. Didn't really think about the copyright issues as I hadn't really considered that I was uploading it to the Web. When I did, YouTube sent me a lovely email explaining that they had detected the music but not to worry, my account wasn't suspended. However, people viewing my video may have to watch an advert. Seems everyone's a winner. I get to use my choice of tunes in my video and the owner gets paid.

Tuesday 10th April 2012 - Wrecker Truckin'

It needs to be noted for anyone reading this who thinks I'm blogging on the road, I'm not. I write this four days after the fact and don't plan to upload it for a couple of days. I've been writing too much for it to go up in one go. Also, I've just not had the time or energy to write it all in the detail I want to. Today, I've got very important school work to do which is why I'm doing this instead. Besides, it's getting to the point where I'll forget bits, my memory not being what it never was in the first place. Also, Mum got the rest in advance and wants to know how the story ends. (I felt bad for shouting, “Sorry, you'll just have to wait,” before driving off and leaving her with the kids.) Anyway, here goes.

Tuesday 10^th April 2012

This was the day that left Dan a bit gutted and I can see why as it was meant to be our last riding day. We should have been tearing up the Catskill Mountains on our way to his pad ready for celebratory shower, shave and sleep. So, it didn't work out that way. The road trip wasn't over though. Dan left Happy Acres alone early in the morning to collect a 14 foot moving van from U-Haul, a short ride away.

Relaxing alone, I enjoyed watching the news which focused mainly on the conflict between the Latin and African American communities after the shooting of Trayvon Martin in Florida. It really brought home how I was in a similar country but utterly different at it's grass roots. The adverts that came up every few minutes added to this. Two that stick in my memory the most would be unthinkable in Europe. The first, sponsored by the coal industry, attempted to convince the viewer that coal is our only hope, that without it our children would starve and that alternative energy sources were unamerican (sort of). Another, sponsored by the fizzy drinks industry of America, was pretty much the same sort of thing. They wanted credit for ensuring that school children have the option of low calorie fizzy drinks in school. How blessed American parents must feel, and how well informed. It left me wondering how people who live here and always have, would take this. Would they chuckle cynically? I can hope.

When I figured Dan would be setting off back with the truck, I was checking out of the 'Resort.' The lady behind the desk agreed to take me down to their souvenir shop, not usually open at this time of year. I picked out a flashing football, a pink t-shirt (for Beth) and a ratchet strap. All that was needed was my driver licence and I would be welcome to sign someone else's credit card charge slip. I loved the complete disregard paid to authentication everywhere in America, until that is I realised I had lost my credit card. It never crossed my mind that this would lead me spectacularly close to a full blown heart attack some hours later. (I'll come to that, some paragraphs later).

Dan came back with the van much sooner than I had expected and we were off, two up in a U-Haul truck, the SV tied down in the back with paracord. A short drive later, we were back at Lyrians carefully loading both bikes and tying them down with a combination of cam-bands, paracord and the one cheep and nasty ratchet strap from a gift shop. It seems somehow meaningful that the same equipment that held the luggage to the bikes ended up holding down the bikes when they themselves became freight.

Lyrian wasn't finished being a complete star though. She wasn't letting us leave without feeding us. Over hot dogs, beans and potato chips we talked. A seasoned traveller, there was so much to talk about and the time flew, too fast. We had a huge distance to cover ahead of us and it was already getting past mid-day when we said our goodbyes and declared our undying gratitude. My one regret, we never stopped to get a picture of the three of us. I don't have a Christmas Card List but I will be sure to send something the Pine Creek some time soon.

The journey back to Connecticut wasn't bad at all. It had none of the excitement of the previous miles. In truth, it also had none of the aches or fatigue. A U-Haul truck doesn't lend it's self to attacking curves but it has things like cup holders and, well, arm rests. You just can't eat a burrito while riding the SV (though it's probably possible with plenty of practice and the right helmet on the RT). You can also take turns driving and even when you are the one driving, you still get to enjoy just gently passing through America. The fuel economy of what was in essence, a 75mph shed, was less impressive but that doesn't make you cry quite as much as you would if you were doing the same thing back in the UK. The final thing about that drive was, I've never gone cross country in a U-Haul truck. Now I've been there, done that and incorporated it into the t-shirt. In a way, the trip wouldn't have been complete without a challenge.

We completed the journey just over a single tank and two driver swaps (impossible on the bikes). When we arrived at our destination, a warehouse containing a gymnastics school, I needed something from my man bag. I don't recall what it was but remember, on this trip I had managed to loose my credit card, three pairs of sunglasses, neglected to bring several basics with me and had generally been an admin nightmare. We had a word for it, taken from sayings commonly used in the ARMY and thus unprintable. Still, we were back in Connecticut and I couldn't loose my eticket if I tried. All you do these days is present you passport. That's the passport in the same travel documents wallet containing my licence. (I told you I'd get back to it in a few paragraphs).

“F@@K!” etc and so on. I'm not proud of the language but when you suddenly think that the last time you saw your documents wallet was when you handed it to the lady to photocopy for checkout hundreds of miles back, less colourful language just won't cut it, especially when there are perhaps 20 hours before you need those documents to get home.

Thankfully, to cut a short story long, I at least had the presence of mind to check the carrier bag which contained; a flashing football, a pink t-shirt, the packaging for a ratchet strap and, thankfully, a document wallet. Eventually heart rates returned to normal and thoughts of having to jump in Dan's car and drive like all heck back to Pennsylvania came to nothing. It was, even on a motorcycle trip, the most scary moment of the whole journey. Finding unexpected gravel on the apex of a fast right hander with a dumper truck coming the other way just slightly on your side of the road has nothing to thinking, just for a minute, you've lost you passport. Something wrong there.

I loved that we finished by picking up Giovana (Dan's daughter) from her gymnastics class. That girl is just incredible. She does things on the high-bar I wouldn't be able to do dead slow in zero gravity. I'd be stuck at the point where you have to stand up on the low-bar. Crazy! It was great to see her dad swell with pride when the coach asked his little girl to demonstrate to the other children. That night the three of us slept at Dan's.

I'm not sure there's enough story for one more blog from there. I shall finish now.

The following day Giovana went off to school, excited to tell her teacher that her English uncle had taught her about alliteration (I can't remember for the life of me how that came up). We dropped the bikes off at Dan's or Dan's mechanic depending on just how kaput they were. Then it was time to return the truck to the U-Haul depot in Willimantic. Dan made us some superb lunch, the first cooking we had done in days. I showered before we headed to the airport. We stopped at Framingham to get dad a Kindle Fire and put me on the bus to the other side of rush hour. Nothing is quite as mechanical as doing what needs to be done to bring to a close that which you don't want to end.

The shared journey ends in truth at the point of separation. I like being pushed a bit for time in those situation. It had been such a journey that we shared so goodbyes can be hard. I guess, we both had a lot of our own lives to get back to. Dan would be at work the next day while I had my family and job to get back to. He needed to strip the gear box from the RT and I had to, well, there's other blogs for all that. We hugged, thanked each other and headed on our different paths. I just hope I can do the same for Dan one day, Scotland, Northern Spain. Perhaps the Balkans trip will really happen and we will be there hunting for clean fuel and good eating on our way up the Adriatic coast years from now. Who knows? I just know, I can't leave it at that.

Thanks Dan.

Out

(for now).